Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and star guard Jamal Murray were both frustrated with the team’s Game 2 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Malone was upset with a no-call on a play involving Karl-Anthony Towns, leading him to explode on a referee in the first quarter. Murray also showed frustration by throwing a heat pack onto the court after a Towns layup in the second quarter. Despite these incidents, neither Malone nor Murray received technical fouls.
The Timberwolves ultimately won the game 106-80, with Towns and Anthony Edwards each scoring 27 points. Minnesota’s defense held the Nuggets to just 29-of-83 shooting, showcasing a strong defensive effort. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch expressed his unhappiness with Murray’s actions, deeming them inexcusable and dangerous. Despite the controversy surrounding the game, the Timberwolves took a 2-0 series lead over the Nuggets, extending their winning streak to six consecutive playoff games.
Malone defended his actions by stating that he owed it to Murray and the team to voice his disagreement and concerns with the officiating. He credited the Timberwolves for their strong performance and acknowledged that they outperformed the Nuggets in the game. Murray’s frustrations during the game did not go unnoticed, with the public address announcer warning against throwing objects onto the court. Although Murray escaped a technical foul for his actions, it was recognized that the heat pack likely originated from the bench.
Despite the loss and frustrations, the Nuggets will need to regroup and make adjustments for the upcoming games in the series. The Timberwolves’ impressive defensive showing and offensive contributions from Towns and Edwards were key factors in their victory. With the series now at 2-0 in favor of the Timberwolves, the Nuggets will need to rally together to turn things around. The intensity and emotions of playoff basketball were clearly on display in Game 2, highlighting the competitive nature of the postseason. Fans and analysts will be closely watching to see how both teams respond in the remainder of the series.
